By 2030, align financial markets settings, initiatives and leadership with our vision of a sustainable financial system.
We work across the financial system to align financial markets settings and initiatives with long term resilience and prosperity.
CSF, in partnership with the NZ Government, is developing a sustainable finance taxonomy for priority sectors. A sustainable finance taxonomy is a standardised framework for classifying economic activities according to their environmental performance. This classification system provides investors with the confidence to identify and invest in green and transition activities. Developing a robust taxonomy framework, aligned with those already place in our trading partner’s economies, will help to attract more international capital into Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Zealand has national objectives of doubling renewable energy and doubling the value of exports. Similar to approaches in other countries around the world, the New Zealand Government has partnered with the private sector through CSF to accelerate financing solutions that help cost effectively close the gap between the investment needed to meet national-level objectives and the capital currently flowing into aligned projects.
Read about the blended finance options CSF is developing for Commercial & Industrial fuel-switching.
CSF supports partners and the broader sector to engage on policy and regulatory approaches. We provide specialist expertise on select long-term opportunities, including trans-Tasman alignment on sustainable finance frameworks, enabling institutional investment in private assets, international green economy opportunities and utilising markets and financial system infrastructure to direct capital into long term resilience.
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Sir Rob Fenwick co-founded the Aotearoa Circle, bringing together leaders from the public and private sectors to focus on New Zealand's natural capital.
The first initiative of the Circle was the Sustainable Finance Forum, which produced the 2030 Roadmap for action.
The Centre for Sustainable Finance was formed to accelerate progress towards an equitable, inclusive, sustainable financial system, in line with the 2030 Roadmap for action.
CSF submission on the Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) discussion document, Te haumārohi ki anamata | Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future
Established the Aotearoa New Zealand Investor Coalition for Net Zero with Mindful Money and Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) and convened investment professionals to form the Net Zero Community of Practice.
Sustainable Agriculture Finance Initiative Data Project Findings Paper published
CSF convened an Inclusion Summit, with attendees from Māori/Iwi organisations, corporates, community organisations and government/regulators. The purpose was to consider new models to reduce barriers to people living independently, with access to the services they need.
Prepared papers and engaged with government on the need for a sustainable finance taxonomy, securing an action on developing definitional tools (taxonomy) in the National Adaptation Plan.
Sponsored and supported the development of an industry-led Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code for investors. CSF and RIAA jointly host the Code secretariat.
CSF, in consultation with key stakeholders and market participants, developed accepted definitions and principles for impact investment in New Zealand.
Collaborated with KPMG on the 'Mobilising Capital for Impact' report, which further highlights systemic blocks to 'financing the transformation'
Published Directors’ Guide to Climate Governance supporting non-executive directors better understand their role in managing and mitigating climate risk.
State of net zero investment in Aotearoa New Zealand report, prepared in partnership with Mindful Money and Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC)
Submission to the RBNZ on Risk Weights Omnibus Consultation Paper.
Submission to the RBNZ on Managing Climate- Related Risks: Guidance for Entities.
CSF, in partnership with NZ Super Fund, convened a roundtable discussion with the Minister of Finance and key public, private sector and Kiwi/Māori leaders on building long-term resilience into recovery from the Auckland Anniversary Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Submission to the Climate Change Commission on the Draft Advice for the Second Emissions Reduction Plan.
Submission on the NZ ETS review and redesign of the permanent forest category.
Establishment of Thriving Aotearoa Partnership steering committee.
CSF convened an investor-led working group and published a joint paper on key recommendations to reduce barriers and challenges for KiwiSaver funds to invest in private assets.
Convened roundtable discussions with Ministers, international experts, senior government, iwi and financial sector representatives on financial stability, climate resilience and mobilising private capital into transition and adaptation.
CSF commissioned Chapman Tripp and MinterEllisonRuddWatts to prepare a joint legal opinion on legislative impediments to KiwiSaver investment in private assets. CSF submitted the legal opinion and working group recommendations to the Minister of Commerce & Consumer Affairs.
At the request of the Minister of Climate Change, CSF convened an Independent Technical Advisory Group to provide independent non-binding expert advice to the Minister to inform the design of a sustainable finance taxonomy fit for the New Zealand market.
Supported MBIE and the Financial Markets Authority to convene an investor discussion to identify actionable policy interventions and investor-led initiatives that encourage and enable more investment by managed funds and KiwiSaver in private and illiquid assets and other productive parts of the NZ economy.
Published guidance on simplifying sustainability reporting for SMEs
Commenced development of the NZ Taxonomy for the agriculture and forestry sector.
CSF convened and provides the secretariat for the New Zealand sustainable finance reference group, that supports the Minister for Climate Change, and the Ministry for the Environment, by testing ideas and providing nonbinding advice regarding policy development in relation to the financial sector.
Scoping and identify financing solutions for affordable, abundant clean energy.
Submit industry recommendations to support development of a national sustainable finance strategy.
Formation of inaugural Funders’ group and Board which enabled the establishment of the separate charitable entity, Thriving Communities Aotearoa.
Published a paper on the barriers and opportunities for abundant, affordable, and clean energy across the residential, commercial / industrial, and grid-level sectors.
In partnership with Deloitte New Zealand, CSF prepared a discussion paper on the Priority Sustainability Data Requirements of New Zealand’s Financial Services sector.
First public consultation on the draft NZ Taxonomy agriculture and forestry climate change mitigation criteria.
Second public consultation on the draft NZ Taxonomy agriculture and forestry climate change adaptation and resilience criteria.
Published a paper on System Level Financing Solutions to Accelerate the Deployment of Private Capital into Energy Transition in New Zealand.
Commenced work on the NZ Taxonomy for the energy sector.
Published a paper on blended finance options to accelerate private sector financing for Commercial & Industrial fuel switching.
Submitted an illustrative business case for a Commerical & Industrial fuel switching financing solution.
Finalised NZ Taxonomy criteria for the agriculture and forestry sector.
Commenced work on the NZ Taxonomy for the construction and building sector.
Published NZ Taxonomy for Agriculture and Forestry - Version 1.
Published NZ Taxonomy for Agriculture and Forestry - Version 1.
Commenced work on the NZ Taxonomy for the construction and building sector.
Finalised NZ Taxonomy criteria for the agriculture and forestry sector
Submitted an indicative business case for a Commercial & Industrial fuel switching financing solution.
Published a paper on blended finance options to accelerate private sector financing for Commercial & Industrial fuel switching.
Commenced work on the NZ Taxonomy for the energy sector.
Published a report and held a webinar on the NZ Taxonomy's contributions to voluntary nature credits market
Second public consultation on the draft NZ Taxonomy agriculture and forestry climate change adaptation and resilience criteria.
Published a paper on System Level Financing Solutions to Accelerate the Deployment of Private Capital into Energy Transition in New Zealand.
First public consultation on the draft NZ Taxonomy agriculture and forestry climate change mitigation criteria.
In partnership with Deloitte New Zealand, CSF prepared a discussion paper on the Priority Sustainability Data Requirements of New Zealand’s Financial Services sector.
Published a paper on the barriers and opportunities for abundant, affordable, and clean energy across the residential, commercial / industrial, and grid-level sectors.
Formation of inaugural Funders’ group and Board which enabled the establishment of the separate charitable entity, Thriving Communities Aotearoa.
Scoping and identify financing solutions for affordable, abundant clean energy.
Submit industry recommendations to support development of a national sustainable finance strategy.
CSF convened and provides the secretariat for the New Zealand sustainable finance reference group, that supports the Minister for Climate Change, and the Ministry for the Environment, by testing ideas and providing nonbinding advice regarding policy development in relation to the financial sector.
Published guidance on simplifying sustainability reporting for SMEs
Commenced development of the NZ Taxonomy for the agriculture and forestry sector.
Supported MBIE and the Financial Markets Authority to convene an investor discussion to identify actionable policy interventions and investor-led initiatives that encourage and enable more investment by managed funds and KiwiSaver in private and illiquid assets and other productive parts of the NZ economy.
At the request of the Minister of Climate Change, CSF convened an Independent Technical Advisory Group to provide independent non-binding expert advice to the Minister to inform the design of a sustainable finance taxonomy fit for the New Zealand market.
CSF commissioned Chapman Tripp and MinterEllisonRuddWatts to prepare a joint legal opinion on legislative impediments to KiwiSaver investment in private assets. CSF submitted the legal opinion and working group recommendations to the Minister of Commerce & Consumer Affairs.
Convened roundtable discussions with Ministers, international experts, senior government, iwi and financial sector representatives on financial stability, climate resilience and mobilising private capital into transition and adaptation.
CSF convened an investor-led working group and published a joint paper on key recommendations to reduce barriers and challenges for KiwiSaver funds to invest in private assets.
Submission on the NZ ETS review and redesign of the permanent forest category.
Establishment of Thriving Aotearoa Partnership steering committee.
Submission to the Climate Change Commission on the Draft Advice for the Second Emissions Reduction Plan.
CSF, in partnership with NZ Super Fund, convened a roundtable discussion with the Minister of Finance and key public, private sector and Kiwi/Māori leaders on building long-term resilience into recovery from the Auckland Anniversary Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.
Submission to the RBNZ on Managing Climate- Related Risks: Guidance for Entities.
Submission to the RBNZ on Risk Weights Omnibus Consultation Paper.
State of net zero investment in Aotearoa New Zealand report, prepared in partnership with Mindful Money and Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC)
Published Directors’ Guide to Climate Governance supporting non-executive directors better understand their role in managing and mitigating climate risk.
Collaborated with KPMG on the 'Mobilising Capital for Impact' report, which further highlights systemic blocks to 'financing the transformation'
CSF, in consultation with key stakeholders and market participants, developed accepted definitions and principles for impact investment in New Zealand.
Sponsored and supported the development of an industry-led Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code for investors. CSF and RIAA jointly host the Code secretariat.
Prepared papers and engaged with government on the need for a sustainable finance taxonomy, securing an action on developing definitional tools (taxonomy) in the National Adaptation Plan.
CSF convened an Inclusion Summit, with attendees from Māori/Iwi organisations, corporates, community organisations and government/regulators. The purpose was to consider new models to reduce barriers to people living independently, with access to the services they need.
Sustainable Agriculture Finance Initiative Data Project Findings Paper published
Established the Aotearoa New Zealand Investor Coalition for Net Zero with Mindful Money and Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) and convened investment professionals to form the Net Zero Community of Practice.
CSF submission on the Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) discussion document, Te haumārohi ki anamata | Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future
The Centre for Sustainable Finance was formed to accelerate progress towards an equitable, inclusive, sustainable financial system, in line with the 2030 Roadmap for action.
The first initiative of the Circle was the Sustainable Finance Forum, which produced the 2030 Roadmap for action.
Sir Rob Fenwick co-founded the Aotearoa Circle, bringing together leaders from the public and private sectors to focus on New Zealand's natural capital.
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Read more about the Centre for Sustainable Finance.
Grounded in the Sustainable Finance Form’s 2030 Roadmap for Action.
Learn more about our Board and Executive Team.
Our work would not be possible without the support of our partners.
Financing sustainable growth in Aotearoa New Zealand.
A classification system for sustainable economic activities.
Accelerating financing solutions for affordable, abundant clean energy.
Guidance for SMEs to start sustainability reporting.
Promoting greater options for New Zealand investors
